The boy, his interest aroused, took a step forward.
"Can I be of service ?" "Oh, I hardly know; I scarcely seem able to think.

Could--could you leave here for just ten minutes--long enough to go to the dance hall at the Gayety ?" "Sure thing; there 's nothin' doin'." "Then please go; find a big, red-headed miner there named Brown--'Stutter' Brown they call him--and bring him back here to me.
If--if he is n't there any longer, then get Mercedes, the Mexican dancer.

You know her, don't you ?" The clerk nodded, reaching for his hat.
"Get one of those two; oh, you must get one of them.

Tell them I say it is most important." There was a terrible earnestness about the girl's words and manner, which instantly impressed the lad with the necessity for immediate haste.

He was off at a run, slamming the door heavily behind him, and plunging headlong into the black street.